Brake beam support



G. F. coucH 2,490,581

2 She-ets-Sheet l Dec. 6, 1949 BRAKE BEAMSUPPORT Filed July 18, 1947 Dec. 6, 1949 G. F. COUCH BRAKE BEAM SUPPORT Filed July 1s, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JUS ATIURNEX Patented Dec. 6, 1949 UITED STA'ES NE' @ENCE BRAKE BEAM SUPPORT Application .lluly 18, 1947, Serial No. 761,843

(Cl. 18S-212) 20 Claims.

This invention pertains to a brake beam support and particularly to a type thereof whereby brake beams of a railway truck are guided along a lxed and definite path.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved brake beam support of the guiding type and which may be dropped vertically a-way from supporting journal boxes.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved brake beam support which is resiliently supported from lower extremities of journal boxes.

An added object of the present invention is the provision of overlapping means on journal boxes and brake beam supports for the accommodation of removable keys which tie the brake beam supports to the journal boxes.

Among numerous other objects a further object of the invention is the provision of improved ilexible connections between a brake beam support and its related journal boxes.

All of the above as well as many more objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains from the following description considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a lower part of a railway truck embodying a form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial side elevational view and partial sectional view of an area adjacent an end of the brake beam support to illustrate, more clearly, part of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the lines 3 3 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a horizontal view taken through various planes indicated by the diagrammatic lines li--t in Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional View taken along the lines 5 5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 iq a vertical cross sectional view taken along the lines 6--6 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts, the numeral l is employed to designate, in a somewhat general manner, a railway truck only the lower portion of which is illustrated. The railway truck comprises a side frame 2 forming a longitudinal load carrying member positioned adjacent each transverse limit of the truck. In-

eluded in each side frame is a lower or tension member 3 joining a top or compression member (not shown) adjacent the longitudinal extremities of the truck to present downwardly extending and opening jaws li defining an opening 5 therebetween. Positioned within each opening is a journal box 5 housing an axle extremity 1 therein and supporting the related side frame extremity through the medium of Springs 8 which may be oi any design or character and are positioned within the jaws. The side frame is, by reason of the springs, movable in a vertical direction relative to the journal boxes and being thus capable of movement within predetermined or fixed limits. For a more complete disclosure and description of a truck which may be employed with the present invention reference is made to United States Patent Number 2,132,382, granted October l1, 1938, to D. S. Barrows.

Depending from a floor or bottom wall 9 of each journal box is a cradle, bracket, yoke, stirrup or sling I il preferably formed integral with the floor and comprising transversely spaced, vertically extending inner and outer bails or legs li and Ila, respectively. These legs or bails are disposed or positioned adjacent the rear extremity of the journal box for the purpose to be made hereinafter apparent. The inner leg Il is also a reinforcing flange which depends from the lower area of the journal box while the outer leg ila is only of limited width as viewed particularly in Figure 2 of the drawings. Joining the legs is a horizontal, integrally formed wall or bed plate l2 which is spaced a predetermined distance below the bottom wall of the journal box in parallel relation thereto to form a completely enclosed, rigid and durable sling or stirrup.

It is well known and recognized in the art t0 which this invention appertains that since wheels i3 are fixed with respect to the axlesand are arranged in vertically xed relation with the journal boxes, any mechanism to be associated with the wheels for the purpose of braking or retarding the progress of the truck should, so far as possible, maintain a vertically constant relationship with the wheels. When the journal boxes are formed integrally with the side frame or removably secured thereto but adapted to move vertically therewith no great difculty is encountered because, in these events, the braking mechanism may be suspended from or otherwise associated with the side frame proper. However when, as in types of such cases wherein vertically movable side frames are provided in railway trucks and resiliently supported by the journal boxes, a suspension of the braking mechanism from the side frames will result in the wheel contacting portions of the braking mechanism being carried or urged vertically and, when the brakes are applied to the wheels, thereby subjecting the entire structure to severe strains.

Towardtheelimination of this last named and undesirable condition Va brake beam support lf3 is arranged in substantial subjacent relation to the side frame and supported exclusively through the medium of the journal boxes. By reason of this arrangement it is possible to Ymaintain a constant relation between ,the braking mechanism and the Wheels irrespective of any vertical variations or service movements between the side l frames and journal boxes.

Each brake beam support atfeach -side Lof .a truck desirably comprises a horizontal or simple bridge, tie or link I5 made up, preferablyby a length of commercial section such as an H or the present invention and of course it will be ,clearly understood that the y'bridges or links of H VorjI configuration v,in cross section are used jinvgthelpresent embodiment merely for the purn Pose of villustration.

However, as previously stated, the illustrated section is preferred because it lends lrigidity and stability tothe links both in horizontal land vertical directions. Accordingly, each bridge is lprovided with -a horizontal top plate I8 having depending therefrom a centrally disposed web 'I9 which merges with a horizontal bottom plate 20 and this member is, as lpreviously stated, continuoustospan the distance between the journal boxes 'on each side of va truck with certainportions of theitop and bottom plates removed so vasto avoid interferences between the bridge and other related components of the truck.

Because of certain characteristics 4of other truck components each l'bridge l5 vhas a central humped portion 2l of greater `height than :the related end portions 22 and'this conguration'is easily attainedby cutting out or removing a predetermined area of the web i9 and pressing the top plate I8 toward the `bottom plate 2o until the previously spaced edgesmeet along the 'line V2t at which time `the -edges are welded together to again present a solid or integral end web but of reduced sectional area.

'Intermediate the ends of each bridge and spaced at predetermined intervals along the length thereof vare -a pair of saddles, chairs or guide members 24 `which are desirably but not necessarily of cast form. Each chair comprises afoot, standard or substantially U-shaped vertical -plate v25 -having a -lower extremity resting upon the bridge Vtop plate and preferably *secured thereto by Ameans of welds 25 (see Figure 2). By making the chairs as components separate from the bridge they maybe accurately positioned on the bridge and secured thereto so as to form rigid parts thereof. Spanning the upper limits of each foot or standard is an inclined wall, shelf or sloping rest 21 which is disposed at such an angle as to form an acute angle with a horizontal plane -or with the beam top fplate. The inclined wall is purposely and desirably directed toward a point adjacent to the axis of a related axle for the purpose to be hereinafter made apparent. Mounted upon the inclined rest is a wear plate 28 upon which an end 29 of a brake beam 3l), may bear. Welds 3l are employed to secure the wear plate to each related shelf (see Figure 2). Asis wellknown, a brake beam suitable for the present supporting structure comprises in add"- tion to the brake beam 30, a brake head and brake shoe assembly 32 secured to the brake beam adjacent an end thereof. The brake shoe, through suitablemechanism (not shown) is directed toward and away from a related wheel depending entirely upontheiparticular function to be performed. .The rest ,and bearing or wear plate are inclined at such an angle that an extension of :an axis of the brake beam will intersect the axis of the axle thus arranging a definite and xed path along which the brake beam will move at all times in alignment `with the axle axis.

-Some arrangement must'be made to maintain the ybrake beam rin an operable position within the guideway'and toward the accomplishment of this feature each guide member is provided with longitudinally spaced upstanding means, end

Awalls or posts 33 and 34, respectively. The post 36 rises from'the trailing end of the shelf and is formed as-a bulbous'member having a protuberance or knob A35 facing or extending in a direction away from -the Yshelf. The post 3 is provided-with a partition 35 extending downwardly from the knob and forming a part thereof. The

-end wall '33 is formed as anangle shaped leg and rises from-a leading Aend `of the rest so that, as

. illustrated, the leg has a substantially vertical portion 3l' forming in effect an upward continuation of the subjacent part of the related foot and the upper extremity of the vertical portion merges or blends into a ange 38 desirably parallel with the inclined rest. The Aposts partially define, together with the rest bearing plate, a guideway 39 Vtherebetween andare spaced apart a sufiicient distance to permit a free unrestricted service movement of the brake beam.

-In Yorder further to prevent an accidental or Vunwarranted Aseparationrof the brake beam and a related chair as well as facilitate assembly and Idisassembly of these components there is provided a clip, bar means or retainer ill extending between spaced posts of the block in parallel spaced relation to a rest wear plate to thereby close the otherwise top opening into each chair.

'The retainer is preferably hook shaped and thus -comprises a main plate lil provided at one end thereof with a claw or U-shaped extremity i2 arranged to extend around and grasp the post knob to form an interlock between that extremity of the retainer and related post. The U-shaped extremity is split or bifurcated as at d'3 to accornmodatea post partition and thus this retainer extremity is prevented from shifting laterally from its desired or illustrated position. The opposite extremity d is arranged to bear upon the post flange 38 where these two components are secured together through the medium of any holding means such as the illustrated rivet llt.

It will be noted that an outer surface it of a brake shoe head and brake shoe assembly 32 is spaced inwardly of the truck from a related chair .so as to accommodate a free transverse shifting of the brake beam. This transverse shifting movement `of the brake beam results from the wheel and axle assembly moving transversely relative .to the accommodating journal boxes through the clearances intentionally provided therein and, in some instances, from any lateral movement of the journal boxes relative to the side frames. The normal transverse shifting of the wheel and axle assembly relative to a side frame which includes both above contingencies can, of course, be definitely determined and this normal movement therefore determines the normal position of the surface i5 from an opposing surface or surfaces of the related chair and its retainer (see Figure 3).

Reverting to the bridge or link or tie I5 and its support it will be noted that each supporting sill member extremity has associated therewith a pair of longitudinally spaced hangers or loops 41 and 48 with the loop tl positioned at the extreme end of the sill member and the loop t8 spaced a predetermined distance from the loop 4l but still preferably associated with the reduced neck or end portion 22 of the platform Il. The loops are substantially counterparts of one another, except as hereinafter noted, and as such comprise a continuous strap-like member i9 upstanding vertically from the sill top wall. Each loop comprises a top strip or band 55 spaced above a subjacent sill top wall and merging into transversely spaced side strips or bands 5I which terminate in a bottom strip or band 52 4spaced below a companion top band. Each bottom band is properly related with the sill top wall and has,

adjacent its extremities, downwardly extending,

transversely spaced, angular shaped legs 53 which underlie the sill top wall and extend downwardly along the sill web on each side thereof. The loop bottom band and legs embrace a part of the sill and rivets 54 or any attaching means are employed to secure the loop legs ,to the sill web to retain the loops in a xed or predetermined position. As will be here observed the loops form horizontally aligned and spaced openings 55. As arranged a loop is positioned longitudinally adjacent each end of a vjournal box bracket, yoke or sling with suicient clearance therebetween as at 55 (see Figure 2) to allow for a slight or small service movement between the journal boxes and bridge I5 longitudinally of the truck. This clearance is also believed, at this time necessary, because in actual service one wheel of a truck will actually drop below the level of its companion wheel on the same side of the truck as the truck traverses rail joints, cross-overs, etc. By this clearance arrangement no undue or abnormal stresses will be set up in the journal boxbridge assemblage. l

Since as noted by referring to the drawings and particularly Figures l and 2 thereof, the bridge loops being aligned with a related journal box sling, the actual connection between the journal box and sill member is in the nature of a longitudinal key or bar 5l which extends through the loops and interposed sling. Each key has a head 58 upset or upturned on one end thereof and this key head is in horizontal alignment with the top strip of the loop or strap-like member 41 thereby preventing an accidental or unwarranted shifting of the key inwardly of the truck. The bottom or lower strip of the loop l is extended outwardly or longitudinally beyond the vertical limits of the bridge or sill member as at 59 to present a lip and this lip carries a rivet 5i) or any other such element, the head 5I of which forms a removable barrier in alignment with the key to prevent the latter from becoming disengaged from the loops and sling (see Figure 2). A removal of the rivets will permit the withdrawal of the keys from illustrated operative position and a lowering of the bridge away from the journal boxes. When the bridge has reached a lowered position a horizontal withdrawal of the bridge,- away from the truck will result in slipping the chairs from under the brake beam ends and thus allowing repair, renewal or replacement of the brake beams and their components.

Because of the rattling eiect produced by metal contacting metal and also because railway trucks are not implements of precision but rather are composed of relatively rough castings or members and abnormal tolerances are provided between relatively movable components thereof, it is believed desirable if not essential to introduce cushioning or yieldable means at the journal boxbridge connection. Also the introduction of yieldable means is, at the present writing, believed desirable to compensate for natural relative angular movements between the journal boxes, longitudinal keys and brake beam support. With the above foremost in mind each journal box sling is provided with a pad or ribbon of rubber, rubber compound or any other yieldable material 62 which rests directly upon the sling bed plate I2. The ribbon is preferably as long as the bed plate but of shorter width than the bed plate for the purpose to be hereinafter explained. Bonded or otherwise secured to the sling ribbon is a cover plate 63 which is interposed between the ribbon and intermediate part of the related key. The cover plate has downturned end flanges 6ft overlapping atleast a part of the subjacent sling bed plate to prevent an accidental or unwarranted shifting of the ribbon from illustrated position. The cover plate also is provided with transversely spaced side flanges 54a which overlap the adjacent part of the key and if any movement outwardly of the truck is imparted to the key it will move the cover plate with it.

Disposed immediately beneath each loop top strip is a block or filler of rubber, rubber compound or any other yieldable or displaoeable material 65 positioned in the loop opening 55 and being of a width and length comparable with the downwardly exposed area of the loop top strip. Each block has a shoe S5 preferably bonded thereto and bearing directly upon a subjacent part of the related key. The shoe has upturned end flanges 61 one of which extends in overlapping relation to the block only while another of which overlaps the block and -a part of the overlying loop top strip.

It will be noted that various changes and alterations may be made to the instant structure and that the drawings and description herein contained are for the purpose of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation or definition of the elements of the invention; reference being had to the appended claims for the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated beam spanning the distance between said journal boxes, brake beam guide means seciued to said fabricated beam intermediate the ends thereof, an enclosed yoke depending from each journal box, longitudinally spaced loops upstanding from' said fabricated beam adjacent each end thereof, each yoke being positioned between companion loops, and bar means extending through each yoke and companion loops.

2. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination Iof, a horizontal beamspanning the distance be.- tween said'journal boxes'brakebeam guide means secured to said horizontal beam intermediate the Icuds thereof, an enclosed yoke depending from a rear extremity of each journal box, longitudinally :spaced loops removably secured to said horizontal beam adjacent each end thereof disposed on each side of a related yoke, and supporting means extending through each yoke and related loops.

`3. :Ina brake beamv support arranged to be cari vriedY by a :pair-of journal boxes, the combination of, .a substantially horizontal beam extending be- .tweensaid journal boxes, brake beam guide means vs cured to said` substantially horizontal beam, each journal box adjacent a rear end thereof hav- Aing an integral yoke depending therefrom, each `end of said substantially horizontal beam having .a loop opstanding therefrom and disposed on each -side of an adjacent yoke, `supporting means extending through each yoke and related loops, and means for securing each supporting means in zplace.

4. Ina brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a :fabricated element extending between said `journal boxes, brake beam guide means secured Ytosaid element 'between the ends thereof, a pair =of spaced loops -upstanding from and secured to each end'of said element, a yoke extending downwardly from-each journal box and between a pair vof loops, means connecting each yoke and a pair vof loops, and cushion means between said last named means, loops and yoke.

5. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried `by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element extending between said journal boxes, brake beam carrying and guiding means secured to said element intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of loops upstanding from and removably secured to said element adjacent end thereof, an enclosed yoke depending from each journal box between a pair of loops, and horizontal hanger means extending through each vyoke and related loops.

6. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element extending longitudinally of atruck `and between said journal boxes, means carried by said element and arranged to support and Vguide brake beams, loop vmeans upstanding Ifrom and-detachably secured to said element adjacent an extremity thereof, integral yoke means depending from each journal box in between related loop means, -key vmeans extending through said loop and yoke means, and means locking said key means in place.

7. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element extending longitudinally of a truck and beneath said journal boxes, means carried by said element and arranged to support and guide brake beams, a yoke depending from .each journal box, loop means detachably secured to an extremity of said element and positioned on each side of a yoke, removable supporting means extending through each yoke .and associated loops, and yieldable means disposed between each supporting means and loops and yoke.

8. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element extending longitudinally of a truck and beneath said journal `boxes, means carried by said element and arranged to support and guide brake beams, a yoke ment and .positioned on each side of a yoke,-

removable .supporting means extending through each yoke and associated loops, yieldable means disposed between each supporting means and loops and yoke, and lock means for holding each supporting means in place.

9. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element extending longitudinally of a truck and beneath said journal boxes, means Acarried by said element and ar ranged to support and guide brake beams, a yoke depending from each journal box, loop means detachably secured to an extremity of said element vand positioned on each side of a yoke, removable supporting means extending through each yoke and 'associated loops, and yieldable means carried by each yoke and interlocked with a related supporting means for cushioning side movement of said brake beam support.

l0. In a brake 'beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, Va fabricated element extending longitudinally of a truck and beneath said journal boxes, means carried by said element and arranged .to support and guide brake beams, a yoke depending from 'each journal box, loop means detachably secured to an extremity of said element .and positioned on each side of a yoke, lremovable supporting means extending through each yoke 'and associated. loops, said supporting means being of less cross-sectional area than an opening through said yoke, and resilient means carried by said yoke and in turn carrying said supporting means.

11. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and extending longitudinally of a truck beneath said journal boxes, means carried by said humped portion and arranged to support and guide brake beams along a fixed straight path, means depending from each journal box, spaced means on each side of each journal box depending means upstanding from said element adjacent each extremity thereof, and key means at each element extremity extending through related journal box depending means and spaced means.

12. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and extending longitudinally of a truck beneath said journal boxes, means carried by said humped portion and arranged to support and guide brake beams along a fixed predetermined path, means depending from each journal box, means upstanding from each extremity of said element in overlapping relation to said journal box depending means, and horizontal key means supporting said upstanding means from said depending means; all of said means being so arranged and constructed that upon removal of said horizontal means said element may be dropped vertically away from said journal boxes.

13. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and extending longitudinally of a truck beneath said journal boxes, means carried by said bumped portion and arranged to guide brake beams along a xed constant path, means depending from each journal box, means upstanding from each extremity of said element in overlapping relation to said journal box depending means, horizantal key means supporting said upstanding means from said depending means, and cushion means between said key means and depending means.

14. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central bumped portion and extending longitudinally of a truck beneath said journal boxes, means carried by said humped portion and arranged to guide brake beams along a fixed straight path, means depending from each journal box, means upstanding from each extremity of said element in overlapping relation to said journal box depending means, horizontal key means supporting said upstanding means from said depending means; said element being arranged to move horizontally relative to said journal boxes, and resilient means interposed between said key means and depending means for controlling such movement.

15. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and extending longitudinally of a truck beneath said journal boxes, means carried by said humped portion and arranged to guide brake beams along a fixed predetermined path, means depending from each journal box, means upstanding from each extremity of said element in overlapping relation to said journal box depending means, and horizontal key means extending longitudinally of a truck and interlocked With said upstanding means; said horizontal key means supporting said upstanding means from said depending means.

16. In la brake beam support arranged to ibe carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and reduced end portions, means carried by said humped portion and arranged to guide brake beams along a xed predetermined path, means depending from each journal box, means upstanding from said reduced end portions and adjacent said depending means, and key means connecting said upstanding means and depending means.

17. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central bumped portion and reduced end portions, said element having an upper flange and a web depending therefrom, means carried by said upper flange at said humped portion and arranged to vguide brake beams along a fixed predetermined path, means depending from each journal box,

means secured to said web and upstanding from said reduced end portions adjacent said depending means, and key means connecting said upstanding means and depending means.

18. In a brake beam Support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and reduced end portions, said element having an upper flange and a web depending therefrom, means carried by said upper flange at said humped portion and arranged to guide brake beams along a fixed predetermined path, means depending from each journal box, means secured to said web and upstanding from said reduced end portions adjacent said depending means, key means connecting said upstanding means and depending means, and reduced means between said key means and upstanding means.

19. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and reduced end portions, said element having an upper flange and a web depending therefrom, means carried by said upper flange at said bumped portion and arranged to guide brake beams along a xed predetermined path, means depending from each journal box, means secured to said web and upstanding from said reduced end portions adjacent said depending means, key means connecting said upstanding means and depending means, and cushioning means between said key means and depending means. I

20. In a brake beam support arranged to be carried by a pair of journal boxes, the combination of, a fabricated element having a central humped portion and reduced end portions, said element having an upper flange and a web, means carried by said flange at said humped portion and arranged to guide brake beams along a xed predetermined path, means depending from each journal box, means removably secured to said web and upstanding from said reduced end portions adjacent said depending means, means connecting said upstanding means and depending means, and yieldable means between said last named means and depending means.

GLENN F. COUCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,305,949 Barrows Dec. 22, 1942 2,312,065 Barrows Feb. 23, 1943 2,365,744 Busch Dec. 26, 1944 

